XN000022-1985-09-25 — Page 6

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1985

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THE VAST NETWORK OF LOCAL ADVISORY BODIES SUCH AS MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, AREA COMMITTEES, RURAL COMMITTEES, OWNERS' CORPORATIONS HAVE HELPED PROVIDE ANOTHER CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE PEOPLE,

WITH THE SECOND-TERM DISTRICT BOARDS COMING INTO BEING IN APRIL 1985 RUN ENTIRELY BY UNOFFICIALS, THE REPRESENTATIVENESS OF THE BOARDS HAVE BEEN ENHANCED GREATLY, AND TOGETHER WITH THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, THEY WOULD PROVIDE THE FOUNDATION FOR DEVELOPING A MORE REPRESENTATIVE LEGISLATURE.

MR LIAO NOTED THAT WITH 24 ELECTED MEMBERS AND 22 APPOINTED MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL BE IN THE MAJORITY IN OUR LEGISLATURE.

HE SAID THE VARIOUS CHANGES INTRODUCED IN THE FIRST PART OF THIS DECADE HAVE RESULTED IN THE INTEGRATION OF LOCAL ADMINISTRATION WITH CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.

MR LIAO SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT A MODERATE BUT PROGRESSIVE APPROACH BE ADOPTED IN DEVELOPING THE NEXT PHASE OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEDIA COVERAGE ON ELECTION DAY

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FACILITIES HAVE BEEN ARRANGED FOR THE MEDIA TO COVER VOTING BY A NUMBER OF SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR S.Y. CHUNG, ON LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTION DAY TOMORROW (THURSDAY).

MEANWHILE, ARRANGEMENTS HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE FOR MEDIA COVERAGE OF VISITS TO POLLING STATIONS AND PRESS BRIEFINGS BY THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR PETER TSAO, AND THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

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BY THE CLOSE OF POLL FOR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AT 9 PM, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, WILL VISIT THE COUNTING AND PRESS CENTRES AT QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM.

WHEN THE COUNTING OF VOTES FOR ALL THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES ARE COMPLETED, WHICH IS ESTIMATED TO BE AROUND 2 AM ON FRIDAY (SEPTEMBER 27), SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR PETER TSAO, WILL GIVE A WRAP-UP PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE ELECTIONS AT THE PRESS CENTRE.

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